THERE is to be a celebration of Darlington’s Northern Premier League title in the town’s market square on Friday evening.

Taking place between 6pm and 7:30pm, players, manager Martin Gray and backroom team will arrive on an open-top bus as the club celebrates its third promotion in four seasons.

Postponements and promotion: The story of Darlington's season

Quakers say all are welcome to attend the event, to be hosted by Star Radio, and fans will have an opportunity to have their photograph taken with the NPL trophy.

A Darlington spokesman said: “We would like to thank Darlington Borough Council and Star Radio for their help in staging this event.”

A similar event took place five years ago when Quakers won the FA Trophy final at Wembley.

Darlington completed their season on Saturday, losing 1-0 at Rushall Olympic, but the result had no impact on the team’s league position having secured a first-place finish last week.

On Thursday a 7-1 win at Whitby Town sealed the title, Martin Gray’s team reaching 104 points, five ahead of Blyth Spartans who now go into the play-offs alongside Ashton, Workington and Salford City.

As well as celebrating another promotion, morale is high at Quakers as they look ahead to next season returning to the town at Blackwell Meadows, Darlington Rugby Club, having been based at Bishop Auckland’s home since 2012.